Studs and duds from Cowboys heartbreaking loss include playcalling woes

Mike Crum

Fans, draft analysts, and some media might want the Dallas Cowboys to tank and lose as many games as possible to get a better draft selection. Still, the players and coaches are preparing, practicing, and playing to win these games, and they put themselves in a situation to do so against the Cincinnati Bengals. They looked like the 2023 team that played in AT&T Stadium early, getting a three-and-out on defense and then going down the field for an opening-drive touchdown. The defense made Cincinnati turn the ball over three times and held them to 20 points before a gaffe by the special teams unit with under two minutes left in the game. The offense ran the ball the best they had all season as well.

To the credit of the coaching staff, many players were still playing like studs in a game in which they had only a two percent chance of making the playoffs. Unfortunately for the team, the duds allowed the Bengals to hang around and steal a game.

Duds: Poor coaching

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

While most will focus on cornerback Amani Oruwariye’s muff after a blocked punt, Mike McCarthy made several bad decisions throughout the game that allowed Cincinnati to be close enough to steal it at the end. The main issue was the decision by McCarthy to put the ball in the hands of quarterback Cooper Rush instead of focusing on the rushing attack.

The passing game produced only 4.9 yards per pass, while the run game was humming for 6.2 yards per play. Dallas only ran the ball 25 times compared to 31 pass attempts from Rush. Rico Dowdle ran for over seven yards per attempt but only got the ball 18 times. With just under six minutes left and the score tied at 20-20, Dowdle broke off a 14-yard run. McCarthy followed that up by calling three straight passes (all were incomplete) and punting the ball. It was a lousy game plan with poor execution and that strategy kept the Bengals in striking distance.

Studs: Cowboys defense

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a penalty against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The Bengals have been a juggernaut on offense, averaging 35 points per game over the last four games. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, possibly the best receiver duo, and running back Chase Brown, who averaged 124 total yards over that time. The Cowboys’ defense was beginning to play better, but their opponents were the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants, who’s offenses weren’t comparable to Cincinnati.

The Dallas defense stepped up and gave the team a chance to win with their backup quarterback. They held the Bengals to under four yards a rush, forced a fumble, intercepted a pass, and made Cincinnati turn the ball over on downs. With two minutes remaining, Dallas forced the Bengals to punt, only allowing them to score 20 points and giving the offense a chance to win with a two-minute drive. The defense played liked studs, but the offense and special teams couldn’t get it done.

Duds: Workload for CeeDee Lamb

Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) reacts after a failed fourth down play against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

CeeDee Lamb is among the top tier of receivers in the league, alongside Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, and Ja’Marr Chase. He is at the top of the league in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, and the game started with the offense focusing on getting him the ball. On the first 11 plays on offense, Lamb had four targets for 71 yards and a touchdown. He had only three targets, two receptions, and 22 yards for the rest of the game. On the game’s final play, Lamb was wide open over the middle and was never even looked at by Rush.

On the Bengals’ offense, Joe Burrow has a much better second option in Tee Higgins, but they still attack with a focus on their star receiver. Chase had a monster night with 18 targets, 14 receptions for 177 yards, and two touchdowns. Dallas has two impactful offensive players, Dowdle and Lamb, and neither made the impact they could have because they didn’t get the ball enough against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

Studs: Offensive line

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Tyler Smith #73 after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The Cowboys’ offensive line seems to have five different starters to begin every game in the 2024 season. Terence Steele is the only offensive lineman with 100% of the snaps this year. They have eight players with over 120 snaps on offense, and eight have started a game. That is a mix-and-match situation not many teams survive. The Cowboys started Chuma Edoga at left tackle for the first time this season, and Brock Hoffman was starting again for Zack Martin, his third start of the year. The unit showed up well.

Dowdle had 18 attempts for 131 yards, an average of 7.3 a carry. It was the best statistical game of his career. He had five runs for double digits and the offensive line held its own in pass protection. Cincinnati has one of the best pass rushers in the league, Trey Hendrickson, and Dallas held him to one sack. Dallas gave up three total sacks in the contest on 35 passing reps with an offensive line playing together for the first time this season.

Duds: Injuries

Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) is helped off the field after an injury in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The injury bug has been a dud for the Cowboys all season long. Their starting QB, Dak Prescott, is out for the year, the offensive line has been shuffled around all season, their starting three corners played together for the first time in the game against Cincinnati, and they have been without their top four defensive ends more games than not.

The Bengals game might have been the biggest dud all year. DeMarvion Overshown returned from a season-ending injury last season to be one of the best players on the team. He left with a knee injury that looked severe just by seeing him on the field. It turned out he tore his ACL, PCL, & MCL, which left players like Micah Parsons crying for their teammate. Cooper Beebe also left the game with a concussion, but the impact of the Overshown injury could go into next season as well.